www.facebook.com/ghostlytimes
From: Brooklyn, NY
Sounds like: Rock
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name “Ghostly Times” and is there any meaning behind it?
We all started music at a fairly young age. Inspired by all of the different sub-genres of rock in the 90’s and early 2000’s we all picked up our respective instruments and never stopped.
Our sound kind of unfolded naturally. We had ideas of large sonic qualities encapsulated in heavy structured rhythms. We really wanted to write good songs with strong lyrical content, solid musicianship, and have the music create an atmosphere that emotes the words and feelings.
Anthony came up with the name Ghostly Times. The idea is based around this concept that we all live and are influenced by the perpetual motions of history. Those who’ve lived and died before us. The good and the bad all carries forward, influences and defines future generations. Like a fog that you can’t quite see through clearly and never subsides.
2. What do you want people to take away from your "When All That's Left Is Grey" album?
Like every record out there, we want this record to take on as many personas as it can. We want it to help people get through whatever it is they’re struggling with. Music has always been there fore us throughout our lives and we want to give that back to anyone who needs it.
3. What's your favorite track to play live?
Oh this is a tough one. I think we all land on "Ghostly Times". We extend the ending and get pretty heavy with that and it kind of encapsulates all of the flavors of the band. We actually came up with our band name after this tune, and think it’s appropriately titled for those very reasons.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Thrice would be our number one. They are a big influence in the fact that they do not limit themselves with any release. They scale the gamut in genres and always kill it live. We’d love to jump on with the dudes from Circa Survive & Coheed and Cambria as a second and third. Also incredibly talented and highly energetic groups. Maintaining incredible melodies and songwriting with amazing musicianship.
5. What are your three desert island albums that you'd never get tired of listening to?
Impossible to answer as a band ha.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Rock?
We love and will always love rock. There are some incredible bands out there doing the genre justice. One of our favorites being Every Time I Die; man those guys just hit the stage with an intensity that is unmatched in the scene. A big thing we were focused on was not sounding like every other band out there so that’s why we decided to self-produce. We didn’t want triggered drums and sampled sounds. We wanted to sound like a band that plays their instruments well and is honest in their representation. Sometimes it’s hard to separate production from feeling and we feel bands are forgetting a bit of why the idea of the ‘song’ is so important.
7. What’s the current music scene like there in New York both locally and state wide?
NYC is interesting. One night you’ll play to a sold out show full of enthusiastic onlookers and then the next you’re competing with the biggest names in the business in addition to every other attraction in New York and playing to 15-20. Venues don’t really put the band first and it’s caused a volatile scene. House parties and DIY are on the rise, because no one wants to have to bring 85 people to make $100. Regardless we play every show with the same intensity. We’re not doing this to put on subpar performances. We do it because it’s what makes us tick.
New York State however is a pretty solid in the scene. Rock / Heavy rock / Alternative / Hardcore. All of the sub-genres are well respected throughout the state / western NY and we love moving around with these cats.
8. What’s your take on legal/illegal music downloading?
If you give people a way to support you they will. The people who stream your music would’ve probably never purchased it regardless. It’s tough to judge as most of us in the group were in our teens when Napster dropped. We saw the catalyst turn into a business idea, iTunes, and then become the beast it is today. People expect music for free which is a tough pill to swallow., but it seems people are more willing to invest larger amounts into a project or product they believe in. They’re just doing better research regarding their product (music).
9. What’s next for Ghostly Times?
Promote Promote Promote. We want everyone to hear this record. Everything except for the drums was recorded and produced by Anthony (our singer). He wrote, tracked and mixed the record. Vince produced the album and mercy artwork. Anthony designed the lyric booklet and we are self promoting. As DIY as it gets. We just didn’t feel anyone could represent our art better than we could on this first release. Next up, we’d love to get on a support tour with on of our favorite acts, rock Warped Tour next year, play some festivals and do this thing forever. Oh, and keep writing records ;)
10. Any shoutouts?
Big shoutout to friends and fam that have supported from the very beginning and throughout the release. Also to Reed Black (ex Saves The Day) of Vinegar Hill Sound for tracking drums and being a badass (www.vinegarhillsound.com) and Wil Farr for killing the Mastering of the record.
